It is usually assumed that this represents the Pictish or G loan-word from Pictish *carden (Watson 1926, 353; Jackson 1955, 150; Nicolaisen 2001, 204).[53] However, forms such as Cardwane, Cardvane call this into question, and suggest different readings for the earliest forms, as given above. An alternative interpretation might be the Pictish or G loan-word from Pictish *cair ‘fort’ + a specific element *deuan or the like. If this is the case, then there may have been a change in the stress from second to first syllable. The element *cair is found as a simplex in the nearby name Keir ADN, KGH.

For some possible early forms not recorded above, see Cowerrie # KGH.

The twelfth-century document describing Carden as royal forest (open hunting area, not necessarily wooded) is discussed in full in ADN Introduction, where a detailed definition of these lands is also given.

The above NGR is for Carden Tower, in Carden Den, called Old Cardon on Ainslie/Fife (1775). OS Pathf. New Carden NT228954 is called Carden Farm on SGF (1828). Carden has also given its name to Carden Mill (Ainslie/Fife), Cardenbarns and Cardenden q.v.